Simplest ever cookbook please?

30 replies

Squirrel81 · 08/07/2025 10:53

Hi there, trying to get my sister into cooking but she managed to burn spaghetti the other week. I want to get her a recipe book for her birthday, she’s not got a lot of money so I need one that doesn’t have weird or pricey ingredients. Any suggestions?

Would prefer to stay away from one with ‘student’ in the title…

OP posts:

AbzMoz · 08/07/2025 11:05

How to cook without a Book - for its 101 on how to actually cook anything
any of the rukmini iyer ‘roasting tin’ books
the Leon books are the most straightforward recipe-wise too

DrJump · 08/07/2025 11:04

Recipe tin eats.

ThisReplyHasBeenDeleted · 08/07/2025 11:02

Delia's Complete How to Cook : Both a Guide for Beginners and a Tried and Tested Recipe Collection for Life

Delia is one of my favourite cooks - easy to follow and no faffing. I have over thirty recipe books from different cooks and hers are always the ones I turn to when I'm in need of inspiration: solid, classic recipes with very clear instructions and a nice 'tone' to her words.

Google the title - there are second hand copies available very cheaply. (I LOVE a second hand cookbook!)

MiddleAgedDread · 08/07/2025 10:59

I have some Sainsburys ones that were about £5 each and don't use anything fancy, or stuff you'll use a teaspoon of and never finish the rest of the jar.
How on earth did she burn spaghetti though?? I'm not sure even the most basic cook book will include "don't let all the water boil out of the pan".

StrangewaysHereWeCome · 08/07/2025 10:57

IMO Nigella Express is a step up from the studenty type books, but is clear and simple. Everything I've done from there seems to work ok.

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